Greetings from Carrboro,

She asked for our order a good 40 seconds after we sat down. Maybe less. We’d been waiting in line for a good half hour outside the restaurant serenaded by the afternoon traffic and an ancient speaker tuned to some dreadful AM station. The waitress was older than me and straight out of central casting, tapping her pen on her tan order pad.

I got the #19 with potato salad and a chocolate malt. The woman I was with ordered something odd enough that the waitress put on her reading glasses to look at the menu and see exactly what my friend had ordered. She then peered over her glasses with a concerned look, “Honey, are you sure?”

Because when you go to Langer’s in LA, you get the #19. I’m sure that if you’re a regular, well, straying is allowed. But for the obvious tourist-types, there are really only a few things on the otherwise lengthy menu; the four guys with paper hats slicing pastrami behind the counter help – hint, hint – lead you in the appropriate direction. The poor waitress nearly broke when my friend ordered iced tea.

With our Mardi Gras menu that starts this weekend and runs through Fat Tuesday, I think that you just might have the opposite problem. Choosing what to eat will not be easy. Or what to drink, for that matter. And we’re not dropping any hints. But that’s ok; it will all be delicious. Gumbo, etouffée, red beans & rice, jambalaya, four different types of po’boys, bread pudding, dirty rice, king cake, oysters, blackened salmon, tasso ham & mushroom gravy, smoked fish beignets, dry-rubbed NY strip steaks with herbsaint butter. And, to make sure that the good times actually roll, the bar will have Sazeracs and Vieux Carrés, milk punch and Hurricanes, Ramos Gin Fizz and A La Louisianes. And, yes, plenty of iced tea. But a chocolate malt will be a bit of a stretch.

On Mardi Gras proper, Tuesday, February 13th, Acme will have quite the party. We also want to showcase the fantastic drawings of Lex Alexander that we’ve been so fortunate to show over the past months. His whimsical ‘Friday Musings’ have the undeniable whiff of New Orleans – if the Big Easy were populated by animalia in regalia. And they are all for sale. The drawings really are spectacular.

Valentine’s Day – which is next Wednesday –  is quickly filling up. If you are unable to make a reservation at the time that is best for you, definitely put your name on the waiting list so that we can be back in touch when we have cancellations. Because we will have cancellations. You’d be amazed at how many people change their plans during the last several days before the 14th.

There are still 4 tickets left for the Cocktail Class at Atlas this Sunday, 2/11, at 4pm. The focus is on the Sidecar and all its delicious kin. Each participant will get a cocktail glass to add to their collection. Snacks will be provided by Acme. Could be just about the perfect Super Bowl pregame. Jerseys are completely optional.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme